CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF 109 SANDY
ELEVATION GRANTS IN SIX COUNTIES FROM HMGP ELEVATION PROGRAM PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS UP TO $30,000 TO HELP RESIDENTS WITH COST OF RAISING STRUCTURES

(14/P39) TRENTON – The Christie Administration today announced approval of 109 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) awards to assist homeowners with costs incurred in elevating their homes to protect against future flooding and storms. The Department of Environmental Protection approved projects for properties in 28 municipalities, bringing the total of approved post-Superstorm Sandy elevation grant awards to 135.

The DEP has submitted more than 800 elevation applications to FEMA and expects more approvals in the near future.

The latest round of awards will be made to property owners in Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. A first round of awards was approved last month for 26 homeowners in Brigantine in Atlantic County. A series of community meetings with grant recipients will be held this week or early next week to help guide them through the final steps of the process.

New Jersey has committed $100 million in HMGP funds provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to elevate approximately 2,700 primary residential structures in the nine counties deemed by HUD as most impacted by Superstorm Sandy – Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

Under the HMGP Elevation Program, eligible recipients receive up to $30,000 for a broad range of work associated with home elevations, including engineering, construction, permits and utility work. The money is reimbursed after the work is completed. Homes must be deemed structurally sound to be eligible.

“These grants provide important financial assistance to residents who are working to elevate their homes to provide protection against future storms and floods,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “In addition to moving people and property out of harm’s way, elevating homes will lower flood insurance premiums for homeowners by helping them comply with FEMA flood maps.”

Other key Sandy recovery programs at the DEP include the Blue Acres Acquisition Program, which is acquiring 1,300 properties in Sandy-impacted areas and other areas that have sustained repetitive flood losses. The DEP also is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance beach and dune construction projects along the state’s entire coastline that will reduce risk to life, property and infrastructure.